Fastenal Company (FAST) vs United Rentals, Inc. (URI)
A side-by-side comparison of Fastenal Company and United Rentals, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 23, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
FAST
Fastenal Company
$51.26IndustrialsAt close: Aug 21, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
URI
United Rentals, Inc.
$1,098.51IndustrialsAt close: Aug 21, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
Total return — FAST vs URI
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yFAST +507.7% (+19.8%/yr)URI +1312.3% (+30.3%/yr)URI compounded faster over this window
FAST URI
FAST vs URI: by the numbers
- •URI is the larger company ($68.37B vs $58.82B market cap).
- •URI trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (26.60 vs 43.44 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •URI converts more revenue to profit (15.67% vs 15.45% net margin).
- •URI grew revenue faster over the past five years (13.83% vs 8.96% CAGR).
- •FAST pays the higher dividend yield (1.79% vs 0.68%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | FAST | URI |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 43.44 | 26.60 |
| Forward P/E | 40.51 | 22.23 |
| P/S ratio | 6.74 | 4.15 |
| P/B ratio | 14.49 | 7.57 |
| EV / EBITDA | 30.29 | 12.70 |
| FCF yield | 1.75% | 0.90% |
Profitability
| Metric | FAST | URI |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 44.70% | 37.07% |
| Operating margin | 20.29% | 24.79% |
| Net margin | 15.45% | 15.67% |
| ROE | 33.23% | 28.60% |
| ROIC | 30.16% | 11.11% |
Dividends
| Metric | FAST | URI |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.79% | 0.68% |
| Payout ratio | 83.64% | 19.43% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | FAST | URI |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 8.96% | 13.83% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 7.96% | 25.88% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 2.54% | -11.55% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 15.81% | 28.14% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, FAST or URI?
- URI has the lower trailing P/E: FAST trades at 43.44 and URI at 26.60. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, FAST or URI?
- Over the past five years, URI grew revenue faster — FAST at a 8.96% CAGR versus URI at 13.83%.
- Does FAST or URI pay a bigger dividend?
- FAST yields 1.79% and URI yields 0.68% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is FAST or URI more profitable?
- URI runs the higher net margin — FAST at 15.45% versus URI at 15.67%.
- How have FAST and URI total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, FAST delivered 19.70% and URI delivered 30.39% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Fastenal P/E ratioUnited Rentals P/E ratioFastenal dividend yieldUnited Rentals dividend yieldFastenal ROEUnited Rentals ROEFastenal operating marginUnited Rentals operating marginFastenal revenue growthUnited Rentals revenue growthFastenal free cash flowUnited Rentals free cash flow
Fastenal & United Rentals appear in these rankings
Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified August 23, 2026.